Selling a Haunted House

Roxane AgostinelliOctober 29, 2019

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween. And while it’s fun to visit a haunted house in October, most people don’t want to live in one all year. If you think your house is haunted, or it has some other stigma attached to it, you will want to take special care when it comes time to sell. Here are some of the things you should think about when you’re selling a haunted house.

Know what you’re dealing with

Just because the lights flicker or you hear strange sounds in the attic doesn’t mean your house is haunted. You could have an electrical problem or raccoons living upstairs. When you notice anything strange, write it down and keep a log. Over time you may notice a pattern that can help you discover what the real issue is.

Be quiet about it

Though disclosure laws vary from state to state, one thing is for sure. Be quiet about the paranormal activity you think is happening inside your home. If you talk publicly about your haunting, then you are legally required to tell prospective buyers about it. In 1991, a buyer tried to back out of a home sale in New York after discovering that the home was haunted. They filed a lawsuit, and the New York Supreme Court ruled that the house was “haunted” because the owner had previously talked with Reader’s Digest about it. Though there was no material evidence of a haunting, the mere fact that the seller spoke about it publicly was enough for the court to rule in favor of the buyer.

Use it as a selling point

On the flip side, talking about your resident ghosts could be a selling point. There are certain buyers out there who are attracted to homes with a spooky past. And some buyers don’t really care one way or another as long as the home is in good shape. This is especially true in a hot market where there’s less inventory and many serious buyers.

Understand how it can affect the price

When setting a price for your home, it is standard practice to look at comparable homes in the area. But unless you live in a neighborhood with a high rate of hauntings, it can be difficult to determine the best price. If your haunting is making it tough for you to find a buyer, then you may need to lower your selling price. There are certainly buyers out there who are looking for a deal and won’t mind sharing a space with a friendly ghost or two.

Talk to a real estate agent

If you’re ready to sell your haunted house, then talk to a professional real estate agent. They can provide invaluable advice about how to handle the selling and what legal disclosures you need to make. Working with an expert will make the experience less stressful and will help you feel more satisfied with the outcome of your sale. In the end, you won’t end up feeling haunted by the selling of your haunted house!

The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the MLS. Listing broker has attempted to offer accurate data, but is not guaranteed accurate. All information presented is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.